Duke (Aces MC Series Book 2)

by Foster, Aimee-Louise

  “Stay in here, until I’m gone,” I whispered as Duke nodded with a huge smile on his face, “I mean it Duke!”

  I straightened up my clothes and unlocked the door, entering the communal area.

  “What’s up Savannah?” I asked walking over to her trying my best to look casual.

  “Gross! Were you two at it in the cubical?” I turned to see Duke directly behind me. I swatted his arm playfully.

  “Duke, you were supposed to stay in the cubical until we were gone! Now everyone will think I’m a lush!”

  “Lush! Does anyone even use that word anymore?” Savannah asked sniggering.

  I stood there narrowing my eyes, mocking an affronted look.

  “Yes you are a lush, come here.” Duke grabbed me taking me by surprise as he deepened the kiss.

  “Well if I wanted to watch porn, I’d have downloaded it. I just wanted to let you know that James has taken Amy home and we’re thinking of moving the party on to the club house soon.”

  I heard the door, indicating Savannah exit.

  “We’d better go, they’re probably waiting for us.” Duke placed his hands, gently cupping my face as he lifted it slightly so I was looking into his eyes.

  “Stay with me tonight.”

  I slowly nodded as he smiled sweetly bending down to gently kiss me on the nose. I couldn’t fight this any longer.

  We walked back into the bar hand in hand to hear a male singer, who was matching Ed Sheeran pound for pound.

  “Do you want a drink?”

  “Just a coke please.”

  And, darling, I will be loving you ‘til we’re 70

  And, baby, my heart could still fall as hard at 23

  And I’m thinking ‘bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways

  Maybe just a touch of a hand

  Well, me – I fall in love with you every single day

  And I just wanna tell you I am

  My god, whoever was singing sounded fantastic! I turned to see who it was. Locke!

  So honey now

  Take me into your loving arms

  Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars

  Place your hand on my beating heart

  I’m thinking out loud

  That maybe we found love right where we are

  Locke was looking directly at something or someone as he sang. I had to move slightly to see through the crowd to see that he was obviously dedicating this song to the pretty redhead that I was talking to earlier.

  Duke passed me my drink, “Here you go.”

  “You didn’t tell me that Locke could sing!”

  He shrugged, “Why would I? We’re so used to him doing it, it’s sort of expected on a night out.”

  “He’s singing to Keira.” I said excitedly, pointing at her through the crowd.

  Duke laughed, “He doesn’t even know her. You women read too many bloody romance stories.”

  I placed my drink on the bar and folded my arms across my chest, “And what do you mean by that?”

  “I mean, why can’t he just be singing? Why does he have to be singing to someone?”

  “Can’t you see the way they’re looking at each other or are you blind?” I said pointing between Keira and Locke.

  “You’re seeing what you want to see Ash. He glanced across the room and spotted the girl of his dreams. He knew instantly that she was the one.” He started to chuckle, “It’s more like, he sang to her because he knew he’d get into her panties.”

  I quickly turned on my heels, making my way over to where the rest of the group were sitting.

  “Taylor, come on I was only messing.” He shouted after me.

  I continued to walk away but stuck up my middle finger, to the laughter of the rest of the guys that were at the bar. It wasn’t a very lady like thing to do but he’d annoyed me with his comment. Is that what he was doing to me? Sweet talking me to get into my panties or did he really care?

  “Taylor where have you been?” Maggie asked clearly drunk.

  Savannah started to laugh, “Don’t say a word!” I held up my finger indicating for her to keep quiet. I wasn’t in the mood for banter.

  “Where’s Chanel?” I asked looking around the club.

  “Buster took her home earlier and Amy’s gone home with James. Chloe went home upset, Paige went home on her own for a change and Louise went home with Spike. Harlow went home with Diesel and it looks like Locke will be getting it on with Keira, which leaves us five!” Savannah slumped in her chair out of breath from her little rant and disdain of not being with anyone.

  “Well I’m going home on my own but I need a lift. See you girls Saturday.” I walked off to the sound of goodbyes as I stuck up my hand to wave.

  “Tyler I need a lift.” He looked uncomfortable looking around the room.

  “Where’s Duke?”

  “He said it’s okay, I’ve asked him already.” I wasn’t in the habit of lying but I wanted to go home.

  “As long as he’s okay with it. Come on let’s get you home.”

  I walked quickly towards the door encouraging Tyler to walk faster so that we weren’t noticed sneaking out.

  Duke

  I knocked back my drink and pushed the empty glass towards the bar tender.

  “Do you want another?” he asked picking up the glass.

  “I better not I’m driving.” I scanned the club looking for Ash but I couldn’t see her. I turned towards the guys at the bar, “Have any of you seen Ash?”

  “She left with Tyler.” CJ stated as he took a swig of his beer. The group of guys at the bar looked uncomfortable at his statement.

  “Tyler! You better hope he hasn’t laid a finger on her Hound.” I fastened my jacket and took out my keys. “Make sure Savannah gets home safely.” CJ nodded understanding the importance of what I’d just said.

  I walked out into the cold night air and stood in the middle of the car park assessing tonight’s events. I dragged one of my boots in the dirt moving the loose stones from side to side as I contemplated everything. Viper would kick my arse if he saw me acting like such a cock, especially over a girl!

  I wanted her that was for sure but unlike my comment earlier, I didn’t just want to get in her panties. I liked spending time with her and I wanted to get to know her better. I decided that I wouldn’t go after her this evening as we’d only end up fucking, which would be nice but would muddy the waters further. I needed to lay everything on the line so that she stopped blowing hot and cold. She was either in or out, I just hoped it wasn’t the latter!

  Chapter 14

  Duke

  “Congratulations Hound, Maggie. It’s a huge achievement, being married for twenty five years but even more of an achievement because you still like each other.” The congregation started to laugh. “Please raise your glasses to toast the happy couple. To Hound and Maggie!”

  “To Hound and Maggie!” The congregation cheered.

  “Now you can get pissed!” Maggie shouted to the cheering crowd.

  Hound and Maggie were a great couple and acted like the parents of the club. Many club members didn’t have families of their own for various reasons but everyone knew that they could go to either of them for a chat or friendly advice. It was just a shame that their own kids couldn’t learn from them. Chloe and Paige had a huge row on Thursday and had carried their spat over until today. I fucking warned them that they’d better not ruin their parent’s special day or they’d have me to deal with. That seemed to stop any scrap developing but the snarky comments and dirty looks were getting beyond a joke. I was getting pissed off with all the drama and was grateful of not having any kids of my own.

  “Hi Duke, can I have a word?” Savannah asked as she linked arms with me.

  I’d met with her earlier in the week and she’d informed me about the offer to go to Paris. This was the break she’d been looking for and I was pleased that she’d get way from all this shit. She didn’t belong at the strip club. Okay she made a fucking good w
age and she was able to pay her own way and make her outfits but she’d always dreamt of working in a fashion house and now it looked like her dream had come true.

  We walked over to the seating area in the furthest corner of the compound to give us some privacy.

  “What’s on your mind?” I asked inquisitively. I’d known Savannah for long enough to know when things were eating her up.

  “I’m gonna miss you Duke.” She stated as she leant over to give me a huge hug.

  “I’m gonna miss you too beautiful.” I pulled back to look at her to see her unshed tears mount and it looked like the dam could break any minute. “You can come back and visit us any time you like. There’ll always be a job, bed and a family here for you. We are your security blanket Savannah.” I pulled her close for another hug.

  “I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for everything you’ve done. I’m forever in your debt Duke, I mean that.”

  Savannah placed her head in the crook of my neck and I felt the sheer weight of her tears as they streamed off her face and onto my skin. I gently smoothed the hair out of her face.

  “You’re more than welcome. I’m glad that skanky arse of yours turned up at our club on that cold, wet November evening.”

  She looked at me surprised that I remembered the details but gave me a slap at my comment.

  “This is a party so I don’t want any more tears.” I stated as I wiped the last of the water from her face. “You’re celebrating too so I want you to grab a drink and start off the dancing.”

  She nodded as she stood and sighed gaining a little more composure.

  “Thanks.” She said before spinning on her heels.

  I lightly slapped her on the arse as she walked off.

  It had been an overall enjoyable day and it was quickly approaching evening. We had a rule at the club that kids had to leave the compound by 6.00pm. The rules were there to protect the minors and we couldn’t have them around when people were intoxicated and this included Chanel, much to her disgust.

  “Duke, do I have to go, I’m nearly eighteen!” She whined with her pleading eyes.

  “I’m afraid so babe.” I embraced her and gave her a chaste kiss on the top of her head. I looked over at Buster assessing him and could see him become uncomfortable under my scrutiny. “Have you been drinking?” I asked him in a clipped tone.

  He shook his head vigorously, “No Duke. Why? Do you need me to do something?”

  Buster was shaping up to be a good prospect. He was loyal, honest and above all doted on Chanel.

  “I want you to take Chanel home.” I looked at him with a menacing stare as he nodded his head, understanding my request. “I’m trusting you to look out for her and if she should come to any harm, I’ll have your balls. You got me?”

  I saw him gulp at the brash statement but I needed to make sure he looked after her.

  “Oh Duke is that really necessary?” Taylor said as she joined us in the yard.

  I hadn’t spoken to her since her outburst on Thursday night, but was hoping that she’d calmed down within that time and even missed me.

  I didn’t take my eyes off of Buster, “Yes, it’s necessary.”

  Buster continued to nod his head. “I totally understand Duke and I wouldn’t let anything harm her.”

  I glanced at Chanel as she swooned at his declaration. The whole fucking club was going soft! I watched as they left the compound together, chewing over if I was truly happy with Chanel seeing one of us. One of us! I said it like a bad thing.

  “He’ll look after her, stop worrying. Now, where can we go to talk?”

  “Come with me, you’ll need to put something on first.” I said as I dragged her towards the club house.

  “Quit whining, you’re gonna need to wear this Ash.” She reluctantly let me help her into Amy’s leather jacket, I kept at the club house. “It looks good on you babe.” I stated as I readjusting my cock from getting a hard at the close contact.

  Ash rolled her eyes with a disapproving look, which made me snigger. She came across as a prude sometimes but I knew differently.

  “You ready for this?” I held the two lapels either side of her jacket with a reassuring look.

  Ash nodded her head slightly and I could see the reticence on her face. “Come on, let’s go for a ride.” I took her hand gently and lead her outside towards my motorcycle.

  “Well is it as bad as you thought it would be?” I spoke to her over the mic.

  “No but I’ve only just opened my eyes.”

  I chuckled at her response. I loved the way that she could tell me exactly what was on her mind or even how she was feeling, a quality that I noticed the first day I met her at the salon. I started to think how far we’d come over the past month. In normal circumstances this would seem crazy but our lives were just that. I needed to speak to her about how I felt. This wasn’t something I was particularly good at so she would have to bear with me but I needed to get a lot off my chest and decided that this was the day to do it.

  We pulled into the lodge, a pub the guys and I regularly visited if we wanted a change from the club. It wasn’t very busy, which I liked and we easily found an unoccupied table under the heaters outside.

  I nodded at the waitress indicating that we were ready to place our orders.

  I pulled my phone out of my pocket as I’d received a text.

  Can I please speak to you about something really important? Paige x

  I didn’t know why the fuck she was contacting me? Everything in Paige’s life was a fucking drama. She’s Hounds daughter so we’d always look out for her but I didn’t have time for trivia things.

  Can’t your dad deal with it?

  No, I really need to speak to you. Paige x

  Drop by the club tomorrow lunch time.

  That’s great. Paige x

  I put my phone back into my pocket and turned towards Ash. “You’re quiet tonight. What’s on your mind?” I asked scratching my chin thoughtfully.

  “You…me…us,” she let out a loud sigh, “I like you Duke. I think I’ve made that perfectly clear over the last couple of weeks.”

  We were interrupted by the waitress. “Can I have a Jack and a coke with ice?” She nodded and wrote the order down on her pad before disappearing into the pub.

  Taylor picked at a piece of loose thread on the seam of her jeans, not wanting to make eye contact. This fact alone made me dread what may come out of her mouth as I could sense a but somewhere.

  “The problem being I don’t think you’re ready for a relationship.” She was now looking at me with unshed tears. I went to grab for her hand but she pulled away.

  “Don’t, I need to get this out or I’ll regret it.” She paused for a while and I didn’t push. I was a big boy. I’d seen things and participated in things that people only dreamt of in their worst nightmares. I knew what was coming and was starting to think of how I would actually feel when the words come out of her mouth.

  “As much as I’m attracted to you and the chemistry I think we have, I can’t live the life you lead. It’s too dangerous Duke. I’m a normal girl and want a normal life.” She stopped talking as the waitress placed our drinks.

  There was a long silence before she smiled sweetly, “Don’t get me wrong the whole biker thing is so freaking hot and you are just simply…well just simply amazing but we both want different things and to be honest, I’m not willing to compromise Duke.”

  Where did I go from here? Her last statement made it perfectly clear that whatever I said wouldn’t be good enough to change her mind. Shit!

  I continued to make eye contact with her as I picked up my drink and took a quick swig. Her facial expression didn’t change but it was as if she was bracing herself for my reaction.

  “Ash, how did we get here babe? You were supposed to be just a bit of fun.” She raised her eyebrows slightly but smiled as I reached over to take her hand. This time she allowed me to embrace her.

  “You have such a wa
y with words.”

  “I’m gonna tell you how it is and be totally honest with you. You can ask me anything and I will do my upmost to tell you the truth. If at the end of tonight you want to call it quits, I won’t like it but I’ll respect your decision.”

  This caught her attention as I’d obviously taken her by surprise from my response.

  “I’ll go first. As of two weeks’ time, the club will be totally legit. Therefore all business activity is legal and can’t get anyone into trouble. Your turn, now ask me a question.”

  I could see that she was chewing over the information I’d just given her.

  “Would there still be people from the past, that may want to hurt you or the club?”

  “We haven’t stepped on too many toes since I’ve been President but there will always be that possibility. We have provisions in place to protect the club and its associates as you found out earlier in the week.” I said smirking at her. “Next question.”

  “Have you EVER been in a relationship?”

  “No. Next question.”

  “Hold on a minute. Never as in your whole life?”

  “Like I said no. Next question.”

  There was a long pause and I could see her struggling with what I’d just said.

  “How do you feel…about me?” This came out very quiet and she began to play with the loose piece of thread on her jeans again.

  “Plain and simple Ash, I like you. You’re an Intelligent, quick witted and beautiful lady, that I would love to spend more time with to see how things develop.” The shocked expression on her face surprised me. Didn’t she know I felt this way? “Does it scare me? Fucking hell yeah! I’ve never done any of this shit before and to be honest, I took the fucking piss out of Diesel watching him act like a pussy around Ink. But if the guys take the piss out of me for pursuing what could possibly turn into something amazing between us, who gives a shit!”

  She’d now removed her hand from mine and had wrapped her arms around her body.

  “Now I have a question for you Ash. What happens now?”

  She looked at me with those gorgeous eyes, “I’m gonna have to think about a few things Duke. You’ve given me a lot of information to process. The thing is I don’t want to get hurt. I know all relationships come to an end and there’s a chance I’ll get hurt but I mean physically. I don’t want to be put in danger.”